The Relationship between Presence of Candida and Oral Environment in Children
2002 Volume 22 Issue 3 Pages 187-193
Details
2002 Volume 22 Issue 3 Pages 187-193
Although numerous reports have dealt with the detection of Candida in the oral cavity of adults, few have investigated the presence of Candida in children. Candida albicans is thought to be the pathogenic bacteria for oral candidiasis, particularly in children. Oral candidiasis may appear in healthy children when a general drop in resistance is experienced. This report examined the presence of Candida in the oral cavity of children between 3-and 15-years-old (55 boys ; 45 girls). The following results were obtained :
1. The greatest concentration of Candida was found at the dorsum of the tongue.
2. The presence of Candida alone was difficult to determine using Stomasta®.
3. The incidence of Candida was closely related to changes in the oral environmental caused by factors such as eruption of permanent teeth, unstable occlusion, and inadequate oral hygiene.
4. The data suggested some kind of relationship between increases in Candida and gingivitis.
5. Even with the placement of intraoral retainers, increases in Candida could be suppressed by properly cleaning the retainer and maintaining the oral environment in healthy condition.
